Pedal apparatus of electronic musical instrument

Abstract

A lever 40 is supported by a lever supporting portion 41 . The lever 40 is urged by a first spring 45 and a second spring 46 . The urging force of the first spring 45 varies over the entire operational range of the lever 40 . The second spring 46 and a third spring 47 are provided serially through a movable supporting member 48 . The displacement of the movable supporting member 48 is restricted by a fixed supporting member FR. If the urging force of the second spring 46 exceeds the urging force of the third spring 47 , the restriction on the displacement of the movable supporting member 48 is removed. Therefore, the present invention provides a player with feeling similar to that the player perceives when he manipulates a damper pedal of an acoustic piano.

1. A pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a fixed supporting member; 
 a lever supported by the fixed supporting member and pivotable by a player's depression of the lever from an initial state to a final state; 
 a plurality of springs that exert spring force on the lever; and 
 a movable supporting member that supports any of the plurality of springs and is displaceable in response to pivoting of the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a first predetermined amount of depression occurring before the final state, 
 wherein the plurality of springs comprise first to third springs, 
 wherein the first spring exerts spring force on the lever at all times in a direction resisting the depression of the lever, and 
 wherein when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to the first predetermined amount of depression, a rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is lower between the initial state and the first predetermined amount of depression than between the first predetermined amount of depression and the final state due to collaboration of the second spring, the third spring, and the movable supporting member. 
 
     
     
       2. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member from a predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, while allowing the displacement toward a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 the second spring is provided between the movable supporting member and the lever so that ends of the second spring are in contact with the movable supporting member and the lever in a state where the lever is not depressed and that the second spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during depression of the lever, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the movable supporting member so that the third spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during the displacement of the movable supporting member from the predetermined position toward the second direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable supporting member, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the first movable supporting member from a first predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, while allowing the displacement toward a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, 
 the first movable supporting member is connected to the lever so that the first movable supporting member conveys a force to the lever, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the second movable supporting member toward the first direction from a second predetermined position, which is apart from the first predetermined position toward the second direction, while allowing the displacement toward the second direction, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert spring force through the first movable supporting member on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, 
 the second spring is provided between the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, ends of the second spring are in contact with the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member, while the second spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever during depression of the lever, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during the displacement of the second movable supporting member from the second predetermined position toward the second direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable supporting member, 
 the fixed supporting member allows the displacement of the first movable supporting member between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, which is away from the first predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the second movable supporting member, which is in contact with the lever, toward a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, from a third predetermined position, which is away from the first predetermined position toward the second direction, 
 the second movable supporting member is in contact with the first movable supporting member at all times to restrict displacement toward the first direction with respect to the first movable supporting member, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, 
 the second spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in a direction facilitating the depression until the displacement of the first movable supporting member from the second predetermined position toward the first direction is restricted, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert, during the displacement of the first movable supporting member from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position, spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression. 
 
     
     
       5. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein in a range of the amount of depression smaller than the first amount of depression, when the amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a second predetermined amount of depression, the rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is higher between the initial state and the second predetermined amount of depression than between the second predetermined amount of depression and the first predetermined amount due to collaboration of the second spring, the third spring, and the movable supporting member. 
     
     
       6. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member from a predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, while allowing the displacement toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 the second spring is provided between the movable supporting member and the lever so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, one end of the second spring is away from the movable supporting member or the lever, whereas depressing the lever causes ends of the second spring to come into contact with the movable supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the movable supporting member so that the third spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during the displacement of the movable supporting member from the predetermined position toward the second direction. 
 
     
     
       7. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable supporting member, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the first movable supporting member from a first predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, while allowing the displacement toward a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, the first movable supporting member is connected to the lever so that the first movable supporting member conveys force to the lever, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the second movable supporting member toward the first direction from a second predetermined position, which is away from the first predetermined position toward the second direction, while allowing the displacement toward the second direction, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert spring force through the first movable supporting member on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, 
 the second spring is provided between the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, one end of the second spring is away from the first movable supporting member or the second movable supporting member, whereas depressing the lever causes ends of the second spring to come into contact with the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during the displacement of the second movable supporting member from the second predetermined position toward the second direction. 
 
     
     
       8. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable member, 
 the fixed supporting member allows the displacement of the first movable supporting member between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, which is away from the first predetermined position toward a first predetermined direction, 
 the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the second movable supporting member, which is in contact with the lever, toward a second direction opposite to the first direction from a third predetermined position, which is away from the first predetermined position toward the second direction, while the first movable member restricts the displacement toward the first direction with respect to the first movable supporting member by contact with the first movable supporting member, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, 
 the second spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in a direction facilitating the depression until the displacement of the first movable supporting member from the second predetermined position toward the first direction is restricted with the displacement of the second movable supporting member with respect to the first movable supporting member being restricted, and 
 the third spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during the displacement of the first movable supporting member from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position caused by the contact of the second movable supporting member with the first movable supporting member. 
 
     
     
       9. A pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a fixed supporting member; 
 a lever supported by the fixed supporting member and pivotable by a player's depression of the lever from an initial state to a final state; 
 a plurality of springs that exert spring force on the lever; and 
 a movable supporting member that supports any of the plurality of springs and is displaceable in response to pivoting of the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a first predetermined amount of depression occurring before the final state, 
 wherein the plurality of springs comprises first and second springs, 
 wherein the first spring exerts spring force on the lever at all times in a direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 wherein when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to the first predetermined amount of depression, a rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is lower between the initial state and the first predetermined amount of depression than between the first predetermined amount of depression and the final state due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the movable supporting member from a predetermined position, while allowing the upward displacement, 
 the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, and 
 the second spring is provided between the movable supporting member and the lever so that ends of the second spring are in contact with the movable supporting member and the lever in a state where the lever is not depressed and that the second spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression during depression of the lever. 
 
     
     
       10. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 9 , wherein the movable supporting member is a weight sufficient to restrict its displacement from the initial state until the first amount of depression. 
     
     
       11. A pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a fixed supporting member; 
 a lever supported by the fixed supporting member and pivotable by a player's depression of the lever from an initial state to a final state; 
 a plurality of springs that exert spring force on the lever; and 
 a movable supporting member that supports any of the plurality of springs and is displaceable in response to pivoting of the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a first predetermined amount of depression occurring before the final state, 
 wherein the plurality of springs comprises first and second springs, 
 wherein the first spring exerts spring force on the lever at all times in a direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 wherein when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to the first predetermined amount of depression, a rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is lower between the initial state and the first predetermined amount of depression than between the first predetermined amount of depression and the final state due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable supporting member, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the first movable supporting member from a first predetermined position, while allowing the upward displacement, 
 wherein the first movable supporting member is connected to the lever so that the first movable supporting member conveys force to the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the second movable supporting member from a second predetermined position, which is apart upward from the first predetermined position, while allowing the upward displacement, 
 wherein the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert spring force through the first movable supporting member on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, and 
 wherein the second spring is provided between the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, ends of the second spring are in contact with the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member, while the second spring exerts spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever during depression of the lever. 
 
     
     
       12. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the second movable supporting member is a weight sufficient to restricts its displacement from the initial state until the first amount of depression. 
     
     
       13. A pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a fixed supporting member; 
 a lever supported by the fixed supporting member and pivotable by a player's depression of the lever from an initial state to a final state; 
 a plurality of springs that exert spring force on the lever; and 
 a movable supporting member that supports any of the plurality of springs and is displaceable in response to pivoting of the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a first predetermined amount of depression occurring before the final state, 
 wherein the plurality of springs comprises first and second springs, 
 wherein the first spring exerts spring force on the lever at all times in a direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 wherein when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to the first predetermined amount of depression, a rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is lower between the initial state and the first predetermined amount of depression than between the first predetermined amount of depression and the final state due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein in a range of the amount of depression smaller than the first amount of depression, when the amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a second predetermined amount of depression, the rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is higher between the initial state and the second predetermined amount of depression than between the second predetermined amount of depression and the first predetermined amount due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the movable supporting member from a predetermined position, while allowing the upward displacement, 
 wherein the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression of the lever, and 
 wherein the second spring is provided between the movable supporting member and the lever so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, one end of the second spring is away from the movable supporting member or the lever, whereas depressing the lever causes ends of the second spring to come into contact with the movable supporting member and the lever to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever. 
 
     
     
       14. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the movable supporting member is a weight sufficient to restrict its displacement from the initial state until the first amount of depression. 
     
     
       15. A pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a fixed supporting member; 
 a lever supported by the fixed supporting member and pivotable by a player's depression of the lever from an initial state to a final state; 
 a plurality of springs that exert spring force on the lever; and 
 a movable supporting member that supports any of the plurality of springs and is displaceable in response to pivoting of the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the displacement of the movable supporting member when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a first predetermined amount of depression occurring before the final state, 
 wherein the plurality of springs comprises first and second springs, 
 wherein the first spring exerts spring force on the lever at all times in a direction resisting the depression of the lever, 
 wherein when an amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to the first predetermined amount of depression, a rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is lower between the initial state and the first predetermined amount of depression than between the first predetermined amount of depression and the final state due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein in a range of the amount of depression which is smaller than the first amount of depression, when the amount of depression of the lever increases from the initial state to a second predetermined amount of depression, the rate of change in reaction force with respect to the depression is higher between the initial state and the second predetermined amount of depression than between the second predetermined amount of depression and the first predetermined amount due to collaboration of the second spring and the movable supporting member, 
 wherein the movable supporting member comprises a first movable supporting member and a second movable member, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the first movable supporting member from a first predetermined position, while allowing upward displacement, 
 wherein the first movable supporting member is connected to the lever so that the first movable supporting member conveys force to the lever, 
 wherein the fixed supporting member restricts the downward displacement of the second movable supporting member from a second predetermined position, which is away upward from the first predetermined position, while allowing upward displacement, 
 wherein the first spring is provided between the fixed supporting member and the first movable supporting member to exert spring force through the first movable supporting member on the lever at all times in the direction resisting the depression, and 
 wherein the second spring is provided between the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member so that in a state where the lever is not depressed, one end of the second spring is away from the first movable supporting member or the second movable supporting member, whereas depressing the lever causes ends of the second spring to come into contact with the first movable supporting member and the second movable supporting member to exert spring force on the lever in the direction resisting the depression of the lever. 
 
     
     
       16. The pedal apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein the second movable supporting member is a weight sufficient to restrict its displacement from the initial state until the first amount of depression.